Dick Kelley was considered the greatest two-way defenseman in
Boston State College ice hockey history. He started all 70 games at
right defense for the Warriors, was a mainstay on the power play
and penalty kill units for his entire career and was named the
team's Most Valuable Player as a senior. Kelley burst onto the
scene as a sophomore, helping Boston State to a 16-9-1 record and
an NAIA Final Four appearance after defeating Salem State College
for the Eastern Regional title. Kelley set school-records that
season in points and assists for defensemen with 28 and 21,
respectively, and was named All-East as well as All-New England.
The annual Codfish Bowl tournament became a showcase for Kelley,
being named to the All-Tournament team three times for the champion
Warriors and was named Co-MVP for the 1969 classic. Kelley was also
named to the 35th Anniversary All-Time All-Tournament squad. An
ECAC Player of the Week recipient in all three of his campaigns, he
finished fourth all-time among Boston State defensemen with 57
points on 18 goals and 39 assists and was the career leader among
blueliners with four game-winning tallies. Kelley was also a member
of the Boston State College Athletic Council for three years and
graduated in 1970. Kelley went on to obtain his masters degree from
BSC in 1974 and also served time with the United States Army
National Guard. He continued his hockey career in the New England
Amateur Hockey League for five years and saw two seasons of action
in the Southern New England Amateur Hockey League as well. Kelley
remained in the sport in a coaching capacity as well, leading
Beaver Country Day School from 1971-73 and Concord-Carlisle High
School from 1978-81 and compiled a 63-32-4 coaching mark for an
impressive .657 winning percentage. He also served as a coach for
various hockey schools and was a coach for the USA Hockey High
School All-Star team that toured Sweden and Finland.